On October 18th 2024 our dear friend Dave L. Castor passed away after a long illness. Dave and his wife, Betty Bartleson, have been residents of Orcas Island for 45 years.

Dave was born in Chicago Illinois on June 17th 1946. As a child, his family moved to Seattle where Dave developed a love of the Pacific Northwest and the outdoors. After graduating from high school, Dave spent four years in the Air Force. After leaving the Air Force in 1971, Dave developed a passion for Ornithology which led to being hired as a zookeeper in the aviary at Woodland Park Zoo in 1974. While at the zoo, Dave met his wife, Betty Bartleson. Dave attended North Seattle Community College and Evergreen St. College. He graduated from Evergreen in 1978 with a degree in Outdoor Education and Ornithology.

Dave and Betty moved to Orcas Island in 1979 so he could pursue his passion for the natural world by becoming a Park Ranger at Moran State Park. Dave embraced his role as a Park Ranger. He was a tireless worker who loved his job. His skills, passion, intelligence, and work ethic led to several promotions which culminated in becoming the San Juan Marine Area Manager in 1993. He was as much at home developing and managing marine facilities as working in the bilge of a park boat. His quick wit and in-depth knowledge of the natural, cultural and historic resources of the area made him a well-known and respected fixture of the Marine Parks. He could give an inspiring impromptu interpretive program and always went the extra mile to serve park visitors, often working extra hours off the clock to get things done. He retired in 2008 but continued serving the community by volunteering thousands of hours for Long Live the Kings Glenwood Springs hatchery program as well as developing the Kokanee hatchery program at Moran St. Park.

Dave will live on in the memory of his wife Betty Bartleson, sister in law Peggy Rose Bartleson, nephew Nick Brown, brother Donald Castor, and many friends and countless park visitors whose lives Dave brightened.